The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31
RETRoSPECTIoN.
"For the old year lies a-dYing."

For the old year lies a-dYinR."
AS all the old years have from time
immemorial, and as they will contin-
ne to do for all time to come. And the
old year is but prototype Of old peo-
pie; "the young may die, but the old
must" How mann have gone in this
old year of 1887, and how many will in
the new year that is now "riding post
haste to take his own" Isn't it
pleasant reflection that the years, as
they come and go, always do their duty?
There is no undue haste, no hurry; al
ways, everywhere, the very same. In
their infancy they bring the buds of
promise which summer ripens, autumn
harvests and winter enjoys. The short,
cold days lengthen into the warm, rich
ones of summer, and the glowing ones
Of autumn, crowned by the harvest
moon, become lethargic in the rich
juices of abundant fruits, until they
fain sink into their winter couches for
rest, till they are re-awakened by the
soft touch of her whose
Feet have touched the daisies
And left the meadows rosy"
So the old year always puts off his
honors with dignity, and passes into
history with the years before the flood.
AS he comes in with smile, he retires
with a careworn brow, and is gathered
with his ancestors, soon to be forgot
ten; while "his son and heir'' comes
into power. What picture for human
nature to copy. o, that age could but
know its beauty, its worth and its vast
responsibility Youth, like spring
time, is but promise, and would be
naught with that promise unfulfilled.
When a young person dies, we NOUN
for all the unfulfilled hopes that 60 to
an untimely grave. They were dear
as they were, but the rich hopes for a
glorious maturity are crushed like a
bleeding flower, and adds bitteress to
grief unknown to us when an aged
person goes as shock of corn in it's
season, or the old year when it's work is
done. So summer, like maturity, is a
ripening process, bringing the one its
works, the other its fruits, to perfec-
ton. IT'S the sun in its midday course
riding in proud majesty in the zenith
OF prosperity, in the very height and
full flower of being. Were there not a
God we should worship human nature
at its best, and this would be in the
summer Of its existence, when con-
scious of royal health and strength, it's
owner revels in the extent of his pow
ers, and the delight of being. Still it
isn't finished. There is ''vague un-
rest" for the end has not yet come,
and we cannot tell what may or may
not be. Then comes the autumn when
the fruits are harvested; and it is then
that womanhood and manhood begin
to reap the harvest Of youths sowing.
1t is then that the balance-sheet be-
gins to tell the story, and we can esti-
mate the results Of labor; but it is only
when winter really comes, and the en-
tire crop is harvested, that we can
make final estimate of it's true value.
So in age, when youths sowing has
been matured in manhood. Life's har.
vesting can be estimated by the works
that are done; the hungry that have
been fed; the tears that have been
dried; the mourning that has been
turned into joy;-then is it that the
hoary head may lie down to pheasant
Dreams" for so has it been found in
the way of righteousness.
''old year. we dearly sue for you;
What is it we can do for you?
Speak out before you de-"
The Interior.